Applications of Marine Algal Communities as a bioresources reservoir

Thematic objective: A.2 Support to education, research, technological development and innovationPriority: Priority A.2.1 Support technological transfer and commercialisation of research results, strengthening the linkages between research, industry and other private sector actorsBrief description of the project: The project will focus on the leading role of marine algal communities (MAC) and their extracted bioactive compounds in the treatment of various human concerns like (i) Food supply as ingredients or food additives that can contribute as an energy source and substitute the deficiency of certain aliments. (ii) Medicinal drugs through the discovery of innovative compounds from MAC in order to detect bioactive fractions that may be use against human diseases. (iii) Cosmetic products using macrophyte species. Their biochemical compositions will allow isolating metabolites of interest in order to provide ingredients that may improve the wellbeing of consumers. (iv)Contaminated shellfish depuration using cultured nontoxic phytoplankton to insure the decontamination process. (v)Antifouling products using bioactive metabolites extracted mainly from seaweeds to overcome this issue and to propose an ecofriendly solution. (vi)Bioremediation using algae for land decontamination from wastewater.
Main objectives – issues to be addressed: The overall objective of the proposed project is to improve and valorize the use of cultivated macro and micro algae in order to develop new biomaterials that can be applicated in the fields of pharmacy, medicine, cosmetics, food and environment. This project will involve research institutions, industrialists and entrepreneurs. Expected results: The expected results from this project are mainly: the establishment of algal cuture plateform in order to generate a biodiversity stock rich with the target compounds, the screening of bioactive metabolites extracted from marine algal communities, testing the bioactivity of these secondary metabolites and their applications in different fields and the development and validation of new depollution strategies Partners already involved: Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Institut Supérieur de Pêche et d'Aquaculture de Bizerte, Biotechnopôle de Sidi Thabet, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine-Suez Canal University, Ismailia, EgyptPartners searched: Pharmaceutical and cosmetic companies, research centersTotal estimated budget: N/AFirst name: SouadLast name: TurkiName of the organisation: National Institute of Marine Sciences and Technologies (INSTM) Type of organisation: University/research centreCity: TunisCountry: TunisiaEmail: souad.turki@instm.rnrt.tnPhone number: 0021671735848Skype contact: Website: http://www.instm.agrinet.tn